July 29, 2013

Obama’s Stained Legacy

In 2007, Mr. Obama said that genocide is “a stain on our souls” and promised that “as a president of the United States I don’t intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter.”

Yet today, more than four years into his presidency, President Obama continues to oversee a disastrous approach to the ongoing genocide in Sudan. This approach has failed to prevent the tragic loss of countless lives and the mass displacement and starvation of countless more innocent people. Unless President Obama ACTS NOW to protect innocent civilians from their genocidal government, he will ultimately be remembered for his stained legacy on genocide.

In the coming weeks and months, please join Act for Sudan in telling President Obama that he should immediately instruct the National Security Council to develop a new pro-democracy and civilian protection-oriented policy on Sudan and promptly implement it. His legacy, and the people of Sudan, depend on it.

Letters to President Obama from Genocide Survivors:

Action 19: Urge President Obama To Act

In a culmination of Act for Sudan’s Obama’s Stained Legacy Campaign, 87 Organizations signed on to to a letter to President Obama. Together we urge him to adopt and immediately implement a new pro-democracy and civilian protection-oriented policy on Sudan that holistically addresses the root cause of Sudan’s multiple conflicts: the repressive and genocidal Sudan regime.

In 2007, President Obama said that genocide is “a stain on our souls” and promised, “As president of the United States, I don’t intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter.” Remind him of his words by sharing the letter:

Action 18: “The hands that are stained by my blood”

This week, Dr. Mohamed Elgadi, an American citizen and Sudanese refugee, sent a passionate letter to President Obama describing his experience as a victim of torture by the Sudan regime and his belief that the current U.S. policy on Sudan is heading in the wrong direction. He writes, “The minimum you can do, Mr. President, is to stop negotiating with those whose hands literally are stained by my blood.”

Please help amplify Mohamed’s brave voice by taking any or all of the actions below:

Please click on link below and take action to help amplify the voice of Mohamed Elgadi, a Sudanese torture survivor calling on President Obama to stop negotiating with those stained by his blood. http://bit.ly/1e4mBkK

This is [your name] calling from [your city, state] to ask the President to read and act upon the letter sent to him today by Mohamed Elgadi, a Sudanese torture survivor asking him to stop negotiating with those stained by his blood.

This letter is the fifth in a series of letters, coordinated by Act for Sudan, to President Obama from Sudanese genocide survivors. The letters are intended to personally remind President Obama that the people of Sudan continue to be attacked by their own government and its proxies and that his legacy on human rights depends upon his actions. The latest shocking example of such government-sponsored violence took place in late February when more than 35 villages were burned to ashes, dozens of civilians killed and thousands displaced in attacks by troops allied with the Sudanese army.

Action 17: A Darfuri Mother’s Message to Obama

From her camp near the Sudan-Chad border, with her children by her side, Achta, a 33-year-old Darfuri mother and refugee, has sent an urgent video plea to President Obama. She asks him simply to “stand beside the Darfuri people.” Please watch the video and then take the actions below to help Achta, her family and millions of others in the same plight.

Contrary to public perception, the crisis in Darfur is now continuing into its 11th year. According to the UN, 460,000 people were forced to flee new outbreaks of violence last year in Darfur, more than the combined number in 2012 and 2011. Furthermore, recent news reports have highlighted that the Sudan government is now giving away the displaced Darfuris’ land to other tribes and foreigners, many of whom supported the government in its scorched earth policies in Darfur. Recently, in a devastating blow to the displaced and marginalized people of Sudan, the government officially suspended humanitarian activities by the International Committee of the Red Cross including in Darfur.

Share on Facebook: (please first like the Act for Sudan Facebook page then paste the text below in your status update bar)

VIDEO: Please watch this video from Achta, a Darfuri mother and refugee for ten years. She is asking for help from the U.S government and the American people. Then take Action #17 of @ActforSudan’s “#Obama’s Stained Legacy” campaign http://bit.ly/1e4mBkK

Write the White House Download this letter template and personally write to President Barack Obama asking him to take action to bring peace, protection, and justice to Achta and the millions of Darfuris who have lost their homes and loved ones. Share Achta’s video with your community, school and family, and encourage them to also write President Obama.

Action 16: Bashir Ratchets Up his Bombing Campaign

While international attention has been focused on the conflict in South Sudan, the government of neighboring Sudan launched a major military offensive in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile State, targeting areas “clearly identifiable as civilian” with “no military presence,” according to a new report. Many Sudanese civilians now find themselves threatened by both the escalating attacks from their government in their own country and the conflict in neighboring South Sudan.

The U.S. must implement a stronger, comprehensive policy toward Sudan that focuses on civilian protection. Statements of concern are not sufficient action while Sudan’s government bombs its own people.

Help protect the millions of innocent civilians in Sudan increasingly at risk at the hands of their own government:

Tweet:

US must act to protect civilians in #Sudan bombed by their government http://bit.ly/1e4mBkK @pfeiffer44 @SUSSESSS #ObamasStainedLegacy

Action 15: Cruel Human Suffering and Destruction in Sudan

Act for Sudan is following the news and developments of South Sudan closely with great concern. We are also worried that this new crisis in South Sudan is leading to neglect of the ongoing government-sponsored humanitarian crises in Sudan. As Eric Reeves relates in his recent article, “vast humanitarian crises in Sudan, of cruel human suffering and destruction, have gone almost completely unnoticed and unreported for the past month.”

The U.S. can and should do more to provide strong leadership to end the government-sponsored violence in Sudan, protect civilians in Sudan and South Sudan, ensure unhindered humanitarian access for those in need, and bring the perpetrators of genocide and mass atrocities to justice at the International Criminal Court.

Please help us keep a spotlight on the millions of innocent civilians at risk in Sudan by taking any or all of these actions:

This is [your name] calling from [your city, state] to ask the President to not forget the victims of Bashir’s regime in Sudan. Please implement a comprehensive Sudan policy that holistically addresses the multiple conflicts in Sudan and addresses the root cause – the repressive and genocidal Sudan regime.

Action 14: “Women in Sudan are living with double trauma.”

Today, on Human Rights Day, Zeinab Blandia, a Sudanese woman and human rights defender from the Nuba Mountains region of Sudan sent an open letter to President Obama asking him to “consider the protection of Sudanese women and children in war zones” as part of his “legacy on Sudan.” Zeinab’s letter coincides with an intensified campaign of aerial bombardment in several regions of Sudan as the government has vowed to eradicate insurgents by 2014.

It’s Human Rights Day. Please click on link below to help amplify the voice of Zeinab Blandia, a brave human rights defender calling on President Obama to do more to protect women and children in the war zones of Sudan. http://bit.ly/1e4mBkK

This is [your name] calling from [your city, state] to ask the President to read and act upon the letter sent to him today by Zeinab (pronounced Zay-nahb) Blandia, a Sudanese human rights defender asking him to do more to protect women and children in the war zones of Sudan.

Action 13: The Antonovs Keep Coming

Stunningly, the United States and the entire international community has done nothing to stop the government of Sudan from carrying out countless Antonov attacks on its civilian population. Now, Mike Lewis, a former member of a UN Panel of Experts on Darfur, has provided a detailed and authoritative account of the international community’s current failure to prevent these attacks and steps it can and should take to stop the Antonovs.

Tweet:

New paper by @UN expert: How to stop #Sudan’s Antonov attacks on civilians http://bit.ly/1e4mBkK @AmbassadorPower #ObamasStainedLegacy

This is [your name] calling from [your city, state] to ask the President to stop the government of Sudan’s Antonov bombing attacks on civilians by following the recommendations of Mike Lewis, a former member of a UN Panel of Experts on Darfur.

Action 12: More than 460,000 Displaced This Year Alone

This week, as many of us gather around a table with family and friends for a traditional meal and expressions of gratitude, millions of displaced Darfuris have been seemingly forgotten by the international community. A recent news article reported that ten camps for displaced people in South Darfur have no food, medicine or protection.

When then-Senator Obama visited displaced Darfuris in 2006, he assured them, “The people of Darfur are not going to be forgotten.” Yet, ten years after the genocide began, displaced Darfuri people still face inhumane and dangerous conditions in camps with no hope of returning to their former villages anytime soon. This year, another 460,000 people have been displaced because of violence, more than the last two years combined.

And share on Facebook (please first like The White House Facebook Page, then go back to your page and begin typing @White House and their page should appear in a dropdown menu, click on their page to “tag” them in the message):

Action 11: Bombardment in Nuba Mountains

This graphic video that shows the Sudanese army bombarding a village in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains was posted to the Huffington Post and a related article from AFP has confirmed that 2 children were among the dead in the attack. Please help us share with the world that the government-sponsored genocide in Sudan continues on our watch.

Act for Sudan’s “Obama’s Stained Legacy” campaign is asking the Obama Administration to show stronger leadership to protect Sudanese civilians from their genocidal government.

And share on Facebook (please first like The White House Facebook Page, then go back to your page and begin typing @White House and their page should appear in a dropdown menu, click on their page to “tag” them in the message):

And share on Facebook (please first like The White House Facebook Page, then go back to your page and begin typing @White House and their page should appear in a dropdown menu, click on their page to “tag” them in the message):

The White House: Obama promised to end the #Darfur #genocide but civilians are still being bombed http://bit.ly/18WzFE1 #ObamasStainedLegacy

Action 9: Nuba Reports 1,200 Documented Bombs

Journalists from Nuba Reports have documented more than 1,200 bombings of civilians in South Kordofan, Sudan since April 2012. That’s an average of five a day. Most people have no idea this is happening.

Action 7: National Call in Day for Sudan – Thursday, October 3

Now more than ever, the Obama Administration needs to hear our support for Sudan. Join us in demanding justice and accountability, democratic transformation, urgently needed humanitarian aid throughout Sudan, and an end to the regime in Sudan that is responsible for serial genocide.

The current government shutdown prevents us from calling the White House phone number.

Call the State Department, leave a message for Secretary Kerry and the Special Envoy for Sudan on the Department of State comment line.

Dial 202-647-6575 and press 8 to record the message.

Suggested message:

“The Obama Administration must urgently act for Sudan. I request that the President develop a new pro-democracy and civilian protection-oriented policy on Sudan and promptly implement it.”

Action 6: Pledge to Make the Call

Thursday Oct 3 is National Call in Day for Sudan

On Thursday, October 3 join Act for Sudan and STAND in calling our President to act for peace, protection, and justice for all the people of Sudan.

Pledge to call by joining our Thunderclap.it which will automatically post the below tweet and Facebook message on October 3, National Call In Day. Pledge now to make the call for Sudan on October 3. We must get 100 people to pledge on thunderclap.it in order for it to be shared.

On Thursday, October 3 call the White House between 9am – 5pm ET at 202.456.1111. Here’s a simple text you can follow:

“I am calling to ask President Obama to act for Sudan. I request that he work with the National Security Advisors to develop a new pro-democracy and civilian protection-oriented policy on Sudan and promptly implement it. His urgent attention is needed to avoid a legacy stained with genocide in Sudan.”

On September 7th, Bishop Adam Andudu Elnail sent President Obama a letter asking him to “remember your promises to the people of Sudan suffering these genocides and are trying not to lose hope. We need to witness your leadership and the acts required by the international community to save our people and our country. Then, we will know that you, too, remember your promises.” Help share his message by taking action:

Help Share his Message: Cut and Paste this Photo and Message or Share From our Facebook PageBishop Andudu from the Nuba Mountains shares his personal story with President Obama and asks him to remember his promises to the people of Sudan: http://bit.ly/17Qi8Pn
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Here’s an excerpt from Bishop Andudu’s personal letter to President Obama:

There are many reports of the continual human rights abuses, mass killings, deaths of children and elderly people, rape and starvation, of the type you heard when you traveled to Chad as United States senator to encourage the people of Darfur. The evidence is strong and clear enough for the ICC to have issued arrest warrants for the sitting president of Sudan, Omer Al Bashir for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. You spoke boldly against these atrocities as a senator and during your campaign for president, but President Bashir continues this terrorism today against our people without fear of consequence.

I will never forget the night of June 20, 2012, when at 12:00 midnight my village was awakened by the sound and echoes of the rockets sent from Kadugli by the GoS troops. We thought the mountain was falling on us. People, animals, and birds all got confused – screaming and running in all directions. We went down to fox holes. Some people had to run to caves in the mountains.

On December 23, 2012, and throughout the days of Christmas, the GoS intensified bombardment. Church leaders and their congregations found places other than the churches to worship and celebrate Christmas because the church buildings became too dangerous.

Action 4: Send a Message to the New Special Envoy

Call and leave an important message for the new Special Envoy to Sudan, Ambassador Donald Booth. Dial 202-647-6575 and press 8 to leave a comment. Here’s a suggested text:

“My name is ____ and I’m calling from _____. I welcome the appointment of Ambassador Donald Booth as Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, and urge him to develop a comprehensive approach that focuses on civilian protection, access to humanitarian aid and democratic transformation in Sudan.”

Share on social media: TWEET 1:We ask Donald Booth, new envoy to #Sudan, to act on civilian protection to avoid #ObamasStainedLegacy @SUSSESSS http://thebea.st/16Ujedr

Yesterday his office asked, “What questions do you have for Ambassador Booth, Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan?” Please write your own question (don’t forget to add #ObamasStainedLegacy), or use the message below:

Ambassador Booth, Congratulations on your appointment. I hope it will signal the beginning of a new pro-democracy and civilian protection-oriented policy on Sudan.

Until now, President Obama has overseen a disastrous approach by his Administration to the ongoing genocide in Sudan. This approach has failed to prevent the tragic loss of countless lives and the mass displacement and starvation of countless more innocent people.

1. What will you do to end impunity for Sudan’s Omar al Bashir, wanted for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide? #ObamasStainedLegacy

2. How will you ensure civilian protection and full access to humanitarian aid for all of Sudan’s civilians? #ObamasStainedLegacy

Action 3: SHARE THE FACTS

In 2007, President Obama stated on the campaign trail:
“When you see a genocide in Rwanda, Bosnia or in Darfur, that is a stain on all of us, a stain on our souls. . . . We can’t say ‘never again’ and then allow it to happen again, and as a president of the United States I don’t intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter.”

Yet since his inauguration in 2009, over 6,400 bombs have been dropped and more than one million civilians have been displaced from violence orchestrated by ICC-indicted President Omar al-Bashir.*1

Pres Obama, more than 1 million displaced in #Sudan since 2009 is a stain on our souls #ObamasStainedLegacy. http://bit.ly/17Qi8Pn @presssec

Action 2: Change your Social Media Avatar

Change your social media avatar to support the campaign. Here are 3 options:

Action 1: Mohamed Suleiman’s Letter to Obama

A personal letter from Mohamed Suleiman to President Obama:

Fifty years from now, it will be incomprehensible to those who will learn the history of genocides that you sat as an American president for two terms, and allowed al-Bashir, the mastermind and executioner of the Darfur genocide, the first sitting head of state indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, to continue to commit these terrible crimes. History will remember that you failed to stop the killing, displacement, rapes and other destructive consequences called genocide by the U.S. Congress and by you.

Mr. President, I implore you to take the necessary actions to save the lives of Sudanese civilians not yet killed by their government. As you said in 2007, genocide is “a stain on our souls.” Please don’t let the Sudan genocide become a lasting stain on your legacy.

PROMISES AND FACTS

In 2007, President Obama stated on the campaign trail:
“When you see a genocide in Rwanda, Bosnia or in Darfur, that is a stain on all of us, a stain on our souls. . . . We can’t say ‘never again’ and then allow it to happen again, and as a president of the United States I don’t intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter.”

Yet since his inauguration in 2009, over 6,439 bombs have been dropped and more than one million civilians have been displaced from violence orchestrated by ICC-indicted President Omar al-Bashir.*1